Screening double humped camel (Camelus bactrianus) of Ladakh for mycobacterial infections and other health related issues

The present study aimed to screen double-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus) of Nubra Valley, Ladakh, for mycobacterial infections and other health-related problems. A total of 70 Bactrian camels (64 females and 6 males), being used for camel safari in sand dunes near the village of Hundar, Nubra Valley, were physically examined, and fecal samples (n = 40) were collected randomly for laboratory analysis. The history of health problems/diseases, if any, was also gathered from camel owners. Fecal samples were examined microscopically for the parasitic eggs or oocysts and acid-fast bacilli using Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) staining. Aditionally, DNA was extracted for PCR-based detection of mycobacterial infections, targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, using primers INS1 & INS2 and TBC1 & TBC2, respectively. No parasitic eggs or oocysts were detected and all samples tested negative for acid-fast bacilli on microscopy. PCR results for M. tuberculosis and M. bovis were negative, indicating the absence of detectable mycobacterial infection in the sampled double-humped camel population. Perhaps harsh climatic conditions for the region, which are likely unfavourable for the survival of many parasitic and bacterial pathogens, along with the innate immune resilience of camels, may contribute to apparent low disease prevalence. However, some non-infectious conditions were observed, including weakness, facial nerve paralysis, bruises, lacerated wounds, ocular opacities (trauma-related) and abscesses underscoring the need for improved veterinary care and preventive health interventions to ensure the welfare of these valuable animals.